Voice reflector



c. H. M FA RLANE Nov. 3, 1964 VOICE REFLECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1

Filed Feb 28, 1962 INVENTOR. Carolyn H. MacFarIane Attorneys Nov. 3,1964 c. H. M cFARLANE VOICE REFLECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28,1962 R m N w m Carolyn H. MacFarlane Attorneys United States Patent Carsarss VOECE REFLEQTUR Carolyn H. MacFarlane, 2926 Avalon Ave,Berkeley, Calif. Filed Feb. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 1%,263 Claims. (Ci.ran-2a) This invention relates to a voice reflector and moreparticularly to a device for use by language students, voice studentsand the like for helping to correct errors in accent, diction andintonation.

It is well known to those skilled in the art that a substantial portionof a persons speech is lost to the individual himself so that theindividual is not aware of his errors in accent, diction and intonation.At the present time, a relatively inexpensive device which will supplythe voice as it is spoken to the ears of the speaker is not available onthe market. There is, therefore, a need for such a device, particularlyfor language students, voice students and the like.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a voicereflector which is relatively inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide a voice reflector of theabove character which is supported by the head of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a voice reflector of theabove character which will fit practically all sizes of heads.

Another object of the invention is to provide a voice reflector of theabove character which is relatively light in weight and which can becomfortably worn.

Another object of the invention is to provide a voice reflector of theabove character in which the voice of the speaker is channeled directlyinto the ears of the speaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide a voice reflector of theabove character which can be readily placed on the head and also readilyremoved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a voice reflector of theabove character which has particularly novel means for supporting thesame upon the head of the speaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide a voice reflector of theabove character which provides adequate ventilation to the wearer.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description in which the preferred embodiment is set forth indetail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of a voice reflector incorporating myinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the voice reflector shown inFIGURE 1 showing the manner in which one of the side portions is securedto the ear of the wearer.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view showing one way of wearing the voicereflector shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is another side elevational view showing another way of wearingthe voice reflector shown in FIG URE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG- ,URE 2 showinganother embodiment of my invention.

In general, my voice reflector which is adapted to be worn upon the headof the wearer consists of a substantially U-shaped member of substantialwidth. The member has a frontal portion which is adapted to bepositioned in front of the mouth of the wearer and to have 3,l55,l89Patented Nov. 3., 1964 portions so that portions of the side portionsare positioned over the ears of the wearer so that the voice of thewearer is reflected by the frontal and side portions to the ears of thewearer.

As shown in the drawings, my voice reflector consists of a substantiallyU-shaped member 11 which is provided with a frontal portion 12 and apair of side portions 13 and 14 which are formed integral with thefrontal portion 12. As can be seen from other figures, the U-shapedmember is proportioned in such a manner that a portion of the frontalportion is adapted to engage a frontal portion of the face of the wearerand portions of the side portions in the form of ear-receivingconcavities are adapted to be positioned with respect to the ears of thewearer so that they overlie the ears of the wearer.

The frontal portion 12, as shown in cross-section in FIGURE 2, has anarcuate portion 16 which is convex when viewed from the exterior andconcave when viewed from the interior. The frontal portion 12 is alsoprovided with an upper relatively straight portion 17 which is formedintegral with the upper portion of the curved arcuate portion 16 asviewed in FIGURE 2. The frontal portion 112 is also formed with arelatively straight portion 13 which adjoins the lower portion of thecurved portion 16 and is formed integral therewith as viewed in FIGURE2. It will be noted that the straight portion 18 has a width which issubstantially greater than the straight portions 17 provided on theupper end of the voice reflector.

Upon viewing FIGURE 1, it can be seen that the arcuate portion 16 of thefrontal portion 12 forms a frontal concavity 19 which is positioned infront of the mouth of the wearer for a purpose hereinafter described.

The side portions 13 and 14 are substantially identical and are mirrorimages of each other. These side portions 13 and 14, as explainedpreviously, adjoin the frontal portion 12 and are formed integraltherewith. The portions 13 and 14 are each formed with a portion 21which has a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface. Theportions 13 and 14 are also formed with ear-receiving concavities 22which, as shown, also have a substantially concave inner surface and aconvex outer surface. As can be seen from the drawings the frontalportion 12 is provided with upper and lower side edges in which one ofthe side edges is spaced at a greater dis tance from the ear-receivingconcavities than the other side edge.

As can be seen, the portions 16, 21 and 22 form a pair of substantiallycurved paths whereby the voice of the wearer is reflected by arelatively smooth surface rearwardly to both ears of the wearer. Theconcavities 22 are formed with convolutions 24 which, it is believed,also aid the travel of the sound to the ear of the wearer. In addition,these convolutions provide an exterior appearance which adds to theattractiveness of my voice reflector.

Means is provided for supporting the side portions of the voicereflector so that the ear-receiving concavities 22 are positioned overthe ears of the wearer whereby the voice of the wearer is reflectedrearwardly and directly to the ears of the wearer. In the embodimentshown in FIGURE 1, such means consists of substantially flat portions 26which adjoin the rims of the ear-receiving concavities 22 and overliethe concavities as shown particularly in FIGURE 1. SubstantiallyV-shaped cut-outs 27 are provided in the portions 26 to accommodate theears of the wearer. Means is provided on the portions 26 in the cut-outs2'7 to prevent injury to or abrasion of the ears of the wearer andconsists of split cylindrical members 23 and 29 which have been affixedover the side edges of the portion 2d forming the V-shaped cut-out. Itwill be noted that the cylindrical members enemas 29 are provided with aslight curvature at 2% which is also formed in the V-shaped cut-out 27to better accommodate the ears of the wearer.

The V-shaped cut-outs 27 provided in the portions 26 are positioned insuch a manner that the ear-receiving concavities 22 are positionedautomatically so that the concavities 22 are centered on the earregardless of the position in which the voice reflector is worn. Thecutouts 27 are formed so that a plane bisecting the angles formed by thecut-outs also substantially bisects the frontal and side portions of thevoice reflector. If desired the cut-outs 27 can be omitted by themanufacturer so that the purchaser can place cut-outs in the flatportions which will fit his ears and so the mask Will properly fit hishead.

The vioce reflector can be formed of any suitable material. However, itis desirable that the voice reflector be formed of a material which isrelatively light in weight and inexpensive. For example, I have foundthat certain plastics such as polyethylene and vinyl can besatisfactorily used. If such plastics are used, they can be formed intovoice reflectors in any suitable manner such as by vacuum molding, blowmolding or injection molding. In forming the voce reflector, I havefound that it is desirable to form the U-shaped member in such a mannerthat the earreceiving concavities Z2 normally assume a position when thevoice reflector is not worn which is substantially less than the normalspacing between the concavities 22 when the voice reflector is beingworn upon the head of a wearer. This is desirable because this providesa yieldable springing effect which helps to retain the voice reflectoron the head of the wearer.

Use of my voice reflector may now be briefly described in conjunctionwith FIGURES 2, 3, and 4. As can be seen, the voice reflector can beworn in a number of Ways depending primarily upon comfort to the wearerand the configuration of the wearers head. For example, as shown inFIGURES 2 and 3, the voice reflector can be worn with the portion Inlowermost. The concavities 22 are positioned over the ears so that theV-shaped cutouts 27 in the portions 26 receive the ears. The portions 26are positioned behind the ears with rounded or cylindrical members 28and 29 engaging the car as shown particularly in FIGURE 2, As soon asthe concavities 22 are positioned over the ears, the frontal portion I2may be lowered so that it engages the chin to thereby firmly support thefrontal concavity 19 of the voice reflector in a predetermined positionwith respect to the mouth of the wearer as is shown particularly inFIGURE 3. As can be seen, the cup-shaped portion to is spaced away fromthe mouth so that the wearer of the voice reflector can speak withoutdifficulty. Any sounds emanating from the wearer will be reflectedrearwardly along the concave portions 21 into the ear-receivingconcavities 22 so that the sounds can be readily received by the ears ofthe wearer.

The voice reflector can also be worn as shown in FIGURE 4, in which theportion 18 faces upwardly and an intermediate portion of the portion Inengages the nose. Again, the frontal concavity 119 of the voicerefiector is positioned in such a manner with respect to the mouth thatthe voice of the wearer is reflected rearwardly to the ears of thewearer.

The voice reflector can also be worn in another position similar to thatshown in FIGURE 4 with the exception that the intermediate portion ofthe portion 18 is positioned immediately below the nose of the wearer.In this position, the frontal concavity 19 of the voice reflector isstill in front of the mouth so that it will reflect the voice rearwardlyto the ears of the wearer.

The particular manner or way of mounting chosen by the wearer normallywill depend upon the configuration of the head of thewearer. This isdetermined primarily by the distance from the nose to the chin of thewearer and the distance from the ear to the chin. However, it has beenfound that most heads can accommodate the mask in any one of the threepositions. Even if the wearer has a very small head, it has been foundthat the inclined portions provided by the V-shaped cut-out 27 willproperly retain the voice reflector on the head of the wearer eventhough the ears of the wearer are not seated completely to the rear ofthe V-shaped cut-outs provided in the voice reflector. This is becausethe inclines formed by the cut-out serve to generally retain the voicereflector in the desired position in engagement with the front facialportion of the head of the wearer.

Because the portions forming the ear-receiving concavities 22 of thevoice reflector must be sprung outwardly so that the voice reflector canbe placed on the head of the wearer, the voice reflector has a tendencyto snugly hug the ears and to prevent the frontal portion of the maskfrom falling downwardly below the position at which the wearer desiresto wear the mask with respect to the mouth.

It has been found that the position shown in FIGURE 4 has certainadvantages in "that it gives greater ventilation to the wearer becausethe wearer does not breathe directly into the mask which is the casewhen the mask is worn in the position shown in FIGURE 3 but downwardlyinto the space between the portion I7 and the mouth. However, it hasbeen found that the mask can be comfortably worn in the position shownin FIGURE 3, if desired. As explained previously, the manner in whichthe mask is worn by the individual is primarily determined by theconfiguration, that is, the size and shape of the head of the wearer.

In FIGURE 5, I have shown another embodiment of my voice reflector inwhich different means is provided for supporting the side portions ofthe voice reflector on the head of the wearer. Thus, as can be seen inFIGURE 5, I have provided a pair of flexible elongate elements such astie cords or strings ill. The tie strings 4d are secured to thecorresponding side portions of the voice reflector in a suitable mannersuch as by threading the same through a pair of holes 42 and 43 and thensecuring one end of the cord to an intermediate portion of the cord by aclamp 44. The free ends of the two cords or flexible elements can thenbe tied in a suitable position on .the head of the wearer. For example,as shown in FIGURE 5, they can be tied at the nape of the neck as shownto retain the voice reflector in the desired position. Alternatively, ifdesired, the cords ill can be tied on top of the head.

When such means as shown in FIGURE 5 is utilized for securing theear-receiving concavities 22, over the ears, it is unnecessary toprovide the voice reflector with the portions 26 and the V-shapedcut-outs 27. Thus, the ear-receiving concavities 22 can be completelyopen and positioned over the ear and held in this desired position bythe cords 41. This embodiment of my voice reflector can also bepositioned in any of the various ways hereinbefore described for theprevious embodiment.

In order to still further improve the quality of the sound which isreflected to the ears by my voice reflector, I have found that it isdesirable to place a plurality of holes Sit in the side pieces 13 and 14which are disposed in the canals between the ridges of the convolutions24 which areutilized for forming the ear receiving concavities 22 asshown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Another way to improve the voice quality andto minimize the echo, is to place a piece of sound absorbing materialsuch as a piece of felt 52 in the side pieces 13 and I4- adjacent theear receiving concavities 22. The

felt pieces can be secured to the side portions 13 and assuming, ofcourse, that the individual knows how he should sound. It is readilyapparent that the voice reector can be particularly effectively used bythe student when used in conjunction with language records. Thus, it ispossible for the student of languages to immediately realize that he ismaking errors which otherwise would not be possible because normally,errors in accent and intonation are often not heard by the speaker.

Also, through heightened awareness due to amplification of the voice bythe voice reflector, my voice reflector is significantly helpful inhabituating the student to new sounds and combinations of sounds andthus facilitate the student in acquiring the new habits and physicalmechanics involved in producing these new sounds, all of which are basicin learning to speak a new language Also, for students of voice, myvoice reflector, again through its amplification feature, will help thevoice student in quickly and readily pointing out errors in accent,diction and intonaton.

My voice reflector can also be used for children with a partial hearingloss who are learning to speak. Because of the amplification of thevoice by the transmission of the voice directly back to the ears, thechild hears itself better and, therefore, can more easily and quicklyestablish his speech habts. My device should also be helpful in theteaching of retarded and handi capped children.

My voice reflector should also be helpful as a general study aid tostudents. For example, it should be an excellent aid in memorizing inwhich one of the crucial requirements is concentration because the voicereflector will reflect the voice of the listener back to the ears andwill exclude extraneous sounds which otherwise would disturb thememorization process. Also, memorization can be accomplished by speakingvery softly into the voice reflector and therefore without disturbingany one close by. Thus, in effect, the person memoriz ing has a playbackwhich is almost simultaneous and very clear so that it is actually likea recording.

It is apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a voice reflectorwhich is relatively simple and can be economically manufactured. t isalso light in weight and can be readily positioned on the head of thewearer so that it can be used with ease and without discomfort to thewearer.

I claim:

1. In a voice reflector adapted to be worn upon and supported solely bythe head of the wearer, a substan tially U-shaped member having asubstantial width, the member having a frontal portion forming an openfrontal cavity, a portion of said member being adapted to have oneportion rest upon the person of the wearer to support the frontalportion solely by the person of the wearer in a position so that frontalconcavity is disposed in front of the mouth of the wearer, the memberalso having a pair of substantially open side portions of substantialwidth joined to the frontal portion and forming ear receivingconcavities facing the ears of the wearer and means secured to the sideportions and adapted to rest upon the head of the wearer for supportingthe side portions solely by the head of the wearer and so that the earreceiving concavities are positioned over the ears of the wearer wherebythe voice of the wearer is reflected by the frontal concavity rearwardlyinto the ear receiving concavities to the ears of the wearer, said meanssecured to the side portions for supporting the side portions consistingof substantially planar portions mounted on the side portions andoverlying the ear re ceiving concavities, the planar portions beingprovided with substantially V-shaped cutouts, the substantially V-shapedcutouts being adapted to receive the ears of the wearer, the V-shapedcutouts being formed so that a plane bisecting the angles formed by thecutouts also bisects the frontal and side portions.

2. In a voice reflector adapted to be Worn upon and supported solely bythe wearer, a substantially U-shaped member of relatively light materialhaving a substantial width, the member having an open frontal portionforming an open frontal concavity, said frontal portion having upper andlower side edges and being adapted to rest upon the person of the wearerto support the frontal portion solely by the person of the wearer in aposition so that the frontal concavity is disposed in front of the mouthof the wearer, the member also having a pair of substantially open sideportions of substantial widti joined to the frontal portion and formingear receving concavities facing the ears of the wearer and soundconducting channels connecting the ear receiving concavities to thefrontal concavity, one of the edges of the side edges being spaced agreater distance from the ear receiving concavities than the other ofthe side edges, and means secured to the side portions and adapted torest upon the head of the wearer for supporting the side portions solelyby the head of the wearer so that the ear receiving concavities arepositioned over the ears of the wearer whereby tile voice of the weareris reflected by the frontal concavity rearwardly into the ear receivingconcavities to the ears of the wearer.

3. A voice reflector as in claim 2 wherein the frontal portion is formedso a space is provided in the vicinity of the lower portion of the noseand the frontal portion to facilitate breathing while wearing the voicereflector.

4. A voice reflector as in claim 2 wherein said voice reflector isformed so that when the voice reflector is in one position it rests uponthe chin of the wearer and wherein the voice reflector is in a secondposition it engages the nose of the wearer.

5. in a voice reflector adapted to be worn upon and supported solely bythe wearer, a single unitary member of relatively light material, themember being substantially U-shaped in cross section in a directiongenerally longitudinal of the member and also being substantiallyU-shaped in cross section in a direction generally lateral of themember, the member being formed with a frontal portion and a pair ofside portions formed integral with the frontal portion, the frontal andside portions forming a continuous inwardly facing opening ofsubstantial width to thereby provided a frontal concavity, a pair of earreceiving concavities spaced across from each other and channelsconnecting the ear receiving concavities to the frontal concavity, saidfrontal portion having upper and lower side edges, one of said sideedges being spaced from the ear receiving concavities a greater distancethan the other of said side edges, said frontal portion being adapted torest upon the person of the wearer to support the frontal portion solelyby the person of the wearer in a position so that the frontal concavityis disposed in front of the mouth of the wearer, the side portions beingformed with means adapted to engage the ears of the wearer so that theside portions are supported solely by the ears of the wearer so that theear receiving concavities are positioned over the ears of the wearerwhereby the voice of the wearer is reflected from the frontal concavityrear- Wardly into the ear receiving concavities to the ears of thewearer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.189,450 Cousino Dec. 20, 1960 1,494,019 Rasmussen May 13, 1924 1,820,107Agee Aug. 25, 1931 2,151,706 Lieber Mar. 28, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS214,420 Switzerland Apr. 30, 1941 239,781 Switzerland Mar. 1, 1946343,637 Germany Feb, 4, 1921 OTHER REFERENCES Publication: TheVoiciphone, Scientific American, February 1923, vol. 128, No. 2, p. 117.

1. IN A VOICE REFLECTOR ADAPTED TO BE WORN UPON AND SUPPORTED SOLELY BYTHE HEAD OF THE WEARER, A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED MEMBER HAVING ASUBSTANIAL WIDTH, THE MEMBER HAVING A FRONTAL PORTION FORMING AN OPENFRONTAL CAVITY, A PORTION OF SAID MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO HAVE ONEPORTION REST UPON THE PERSON OF THE WEARER TO SUPPORT THE FRONTALPORTION SOLELY BY THE PERSON OF THE WEARER IN A POSITION SO THAT FRONTALCONCAVITY IS DISPOSED IN FRONT OF THE MOUTH OF THE WEARER, THE MEMBERALSO HAVING A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY OPEN SIDE PORTIONS OF SUBSTANTIALWIDTH JOINED TO THE FRONTAL PORTION AND FORMING EAR RECEIVINGCONCAVITIES FACING THE EARS OF THE WEARER AND MEANS SECURED TO THE SIDEPORTIONS AND ADAPTED TO REST UPON THE HEAD OF THE WEARER FOR SUPPORTINGTHE SIDE PORTIONS SOLELY BY THE HEAD OF THE WEARER AND SO THAT THE EARRECEIVING CONCAVITIES ARE POSITIONED OVER THE EARS OF THE WEARER WHEREBYTHE VOICE OF THE WEARER IS REFLECTED BY THE FRONTAL CONCAVITY REARWARDLYINTO THE EAR RECEIVING CONCAVITIES TO THE EARS OF THE WEARER, SAID MEANSSECURED TO THE SIDE PORTIONS FOR SUPPORTING THE SIDE PORTIONS CONSISTINGOF SUBSTANTILLY PLANAR PORTIONS MOUNTED ON THE SIDE PORTIONS ANDOVERLYING THE EAR RECEIVING CONCAVITIES, THE PLANAR PORTIONS BEINGPROVIDED WITH SUBSTANTIALLY V-SHAPED CUTOUTS,THE SUBSTANTIALLY V-SHAPEDCUTOUTS BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE EARS OF THE WEARER, THE V-SHAPEDCUTOUTS BEING FORMED SO THAT A PLANE BISECTING THE ANGLES FORMED BY THECUTOUTS ALSO BISECTS THE FRONTAL AND SIDE PORTIONS.